New NCERT textbooks will connect Science and Maths with arts, music: Manjul Bhargava

If you were asked to stack oranges to make a triangular pyramid, as seen at a greengrocer’s store, starting with four oranges on each side, how many oranges would you need? Patterns of this kind around us sparked Prof. Manjul Bhargava’s curiosity about mathematics as a student.

Prof. Bhargava is a professor of mathematics at Princeton University, and the first Indian-origin Fields Medalist in mathematics. He is also the co-chairperson of the National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC), which is revising the NCERT school syllabi for grades 3-12 as per the NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 recommendations. 

Recently, epiSTEME10, an international conference to review research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education was held at the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE, TIFR) from 2-6 January 2025. In his keynote address, Prof. Bhargava spoke about “Patterns in mathematics and nature and their uses in pedagogy”.

He said: “Mathematics, in large parts, is the search for patterns and explanations as to why those patterns exist.” By finding patterns in numbers, students can better predict outcomes and develop strategies for solving complex problems. The revised grade 6 mathematics textbook, presents many examples for students to explore patterns in numbers while learning mathematics. 

The major aims of revising textbooks are to reduce the number of pages, and the cost of textbooks. “Textbooks should not be more than 200 pages long, and should not cost more than ₹ 65”, says ProfArnab Bhattacharya, Centre Director, HBCSE, TIFR, Mumbai, and Chairperson, Physics Sub-group NSTC.

The limit on page numbers will make textbooks lighter, so students don’t carry heavy school bags. The revised NCERT textbooks are currently being written for grades 6, 9 and 11. Grades 9 and 11 are chosen, as these are the classes just before grades 10 and 12, when students write their board examinations. 

Importantly, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curricular Framework (NCF) 2023 strongly recommend a bilingual mode of education in science, so that students can grasp and think deeply about science in their own language. Prof. Bhargava remarked that many students in India are first-generation learners, who struggle to keep up with their peers.

If this is a challenge, English as a teaching medium adds another layer of complexity, especially for younger students between 3-6 years of age, who speak a different Indian language at home. The bilingual mode of education in science will enable students to can grasp scientific concepts in their own language– the language in which they can best think.

While revising the textbooks, efforts are underway to cultivate a desire for lifelong learning among all students. “There are around 20 crore first-generation learners in India, among which 90% may not take science after Class 10. The textbooks should impart knowledge that will stay with them for the rest of their life”, remarked Prof. Bhattacharya. He adds that the other 10% likely to take science after class 10 should retain their enthusiasm and curiosity for science as they continue learning. Additionally, all students should be ready to process the vast information around them and learn to separate fact from fiction. 

With a focus on this aspect of logical and scientific thinking, the revised textbooks also aim to promote scientific temper. Prof. Bhargava spoke about “developing scientific temper in every subject and at every level.”

While all previous versions of the textbooks have always aimed at developing scientific temper, the present versions have focused more on the process of science rather than presenting content as a mere collection of facts. This will reduce the need for rote memorization and make learning more enjoyable and engaging, added Prof. Bhattacharya. 

Finally, Prof. Bhargava emphasized the need to develop textbook content that provides deep links across subjects, is flexible, and can connect science with arts. He added that arts and music foster creativity, further sparking students’ innovative abilities. Citing the example of Nobel laureates, Prof. Bhargava mentioned, “Nobel prize-winning scientists are three times more likely than the average scientist to have an artistic hobby.”

The revised textbooks call for an extensive plan for training teachers. The training will equip them to understand learning standards and objectives, pedagogical approaches for the new content, and developing assessment techniques. “Teachers are torchbearers. A teacher education framework is also being developed for in-service teacher training”, said Prof. Bhargava. 

(Rohini Karandikar is a consultant with TNQ Foundation and also a science communicator and educator. She has previously worked at HBCSE as a postdoctoral fellow.)

Published - January 11, 2025 07:41 pm IST